DOD Backs Down on NSPS: Pentagon officials have scaled back their timeline for the new performance-based payroll system, reducing the number of employees sought for the program’s first phase to 11,000. DOD originally scheduled the first phase of the National Security Personnel System to debut in February, but now has set the unveiling for April 30, according to the NSPS Web site. Officials had already put some training ventures on hold to provide more time to simplify the system.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
